Stabilized compositions comprising ammonium nitrate

ABSTRACT

Preferred aspects of the present invention provide ammonium nitrate compositions comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent, and preferably a third compound. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent, together with third compound, is present under conditions and in amounts effective to substantially reduce the detonation sensitivity of the composition and/or to otherwise improve a desired property of the composition.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/622,878, filed on Jan. 12, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application No. 60/758,642 filed Jan. 13, 2006 both of whichare incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ammonium nitrate compositions, and moreparticularly to stabilized or desensitized compositions containingammonium nitrate, as well as processes for producing same. Thecompositions of the present invention are generally useful asfertilizers and preferably have desirable levels of nitrate ions andrelatively high resistance to detonation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that, because of its high concentration of nitrateions, ammonium nitrate has important uses in the field of agriculture ingeneral and fertilization in particular. However, it is also well knownthat ammonium nitrate, in many of the forms in which it has heretoforebeen commonly used, is relatively difficult and potentially hazardous tohandle commercially in large amounts, and/or to store in great masses(such as occur in commercial warehouses and storage bins), especiallyfor relatively long periods of time. Furthermore, it has been known thatmany of the forms of ammonium nitrate heretofore commonly used have hada tendency to detonate under relatively mild conditions, and havetherefore sometimes been abused and misused as an explosive material.

Several potential solutions to the problem of the explosiveness and/orthe detonability of compositions containing ammonium nitrate have beenproposed. For example, the use of ammonium nitrate in the form of adouble salt with ammonium sulfate for the purpose of reducing thehazardous properties of the ammonium nitrate has been suggested in U.S.Pat. No. 6,689,181, which is incorporated herein by reference. On theother hand, the use of ammonium nitrate in the form of a double saltdiethylenetriamine trinitrate has been suggested for use because of itsincreased explosive properties and detonation tendencies. See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,048. Thus, it is difficult to predict inadvance with any degree of precision what impact, if any, a particularform of ammonium nitrate, particularly ammonium nitrate in the form of adouble salt, will have on the explosive properties of the material orthe tendency of the material to detonate. Thus, while the aforementionedsolutions and other solutions have provided improved results at least insome circumstances, applicants have come to recognize that a substantialand unexpected advantage can be achieved by incorporating certainmaterials or agents into such compositions and similar compositions.Moreover, applicants have come to appreciate that certain stabilizingagents which might otherwise be considered for use in connection withcompositions, and in particular fertilizer compositions, may have adetrimental effect on the characteristics of the composition for itsindependent purpose. For example, certain compositions may not be aseffective as desired with respect to providing nutrition and/or otherbeneficial ingredients to the soil or to the plant life therein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Preferred aspects of the present invention provide compositionscomprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent. As theterm is used herein, “ammonium nitrate” is intended to mean andencompass within its scope ammonium nitrate in any of its forms,including as free ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate in the form ofany one of the salts it is capable of forming, including the double saltformulations disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,181 and our copendingprovisional application 60/758,652 and the corresponding regularapplication filed concurrently and identified by each of which isincorporated herein by reference. It is preferred that the stabilizingagent, which is sometimes referred to also as a desensitized in agent,is present under conditions and in amounts effective to substantiallyreduce the detonation sensitivity of the composition and/or to otherwiseimprove a desired property of the composition, and also preferably atthe same time not having a substantial negative effect on the use or theproperties of the compositions, particularly the usefulness offertilizer compositions for their intended purpose.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the presentcompositions include, in addition to the ammonium nitrate andstabilizing agent, a third component selected from the group consistingof ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassiumnitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammoniumhexaflouralsilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of twoor more of these. In preferred embodiments, at least a substantialportion of the ammonium nitrate in the composition is in the form of adouble salt with one or more of said third compounds or components. Inhighly preferred embodiments, the present compositions consistessentially of one or more double salts of ammonium nitrate and astabilizing agent in accordance with the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for reducingthe sensitivity to detonation of compositions containing ammoniumnitrate by including in such compositions one or more additionalcompounds effective to substantially reduce or maintain at a low levelthe detonation sensitivity of the composition. According to certainpreferred embodiments, the compositions and methods produce reducedsensitivity to detonation as measured by at least one, and preferablyboth of: a) increase in onset temperature; or b) increase in DTA heatingrate, each relative to the value for same exhibited by ammonium sulfatenitrate 2:1 double salt (2:1 ASN).

For example, a Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA), model number RT6220sold by Seiko Instruments has been used to evaluate both the single saltAN and 2:1 ASN for onset temperature, weight loss (to indicate thepresence of a reaction), and the approximate peak drop in heating rate.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the particular resultsreported here for these materials, while being generally indicative ofthe properties of the these materials, are used herein primarily forcomparison purposes to illustrate the relative performance improvementachieved by compositions and methods of the present invention.

Onset Loss DTA Sample (C.) (wt. %) (uV) 2:1 ASN 222.4 38.3 2.29 222.941.5 2.08 222.4 39.5 1.12 220.7 38.8 1.74 224.1 41.2 1.44 223.2 39.61.30 223.5 38.4 2.10 2:1 ASN Average 222.7 39.6 1.72 2:1 ASN StandardDeviation 1.1 1.3 0.45

In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods of thepresent invention produce an onset temperature, preferably as measuredin accordance with know use of the TGA Model number RT6220 sold by SeikoInstruments, that is not substantially below about the onset temperatureof 2:1 ASN, and more preferably at least about 1° C. above the onsettemperature of 2:1 ASN. In certain preferred embodiments, the onsettemperature of the present compositions is at least about 220° C., andmore preferably at least about 223° C.

In certain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods of thepresent invention produce a peak drop in heating rate (PDHR), preferablyas measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) in accordance withknow use of the TGA Model No. RT6220 sold by Seiko Instruments, that isnot substantially below about the PDHR of 2:1 ASN, more preferably atleast about 15 relative percent greater, and even more preferably atleast about 50 relative percent greater than the PDHR of 2:1 ASN. Incertain preferred embodiments, the compositions and methods of thepresent invention produce a peak drop in heating rate (PDHR), preferablyas measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) in accordance withknow use of the TGA Model No. RT6220 sold by Seiko Instruments, that isat least about 0.5 uV greater than, more preferably at least about 1 uVgreater than, and even more preferably at least about 2 uV greater thanthe PDHR of 2:1 ASN.

Although it is contemplated that numerous stabilizing agents can havethe beneficial results, and particularly the unexpected and highlydesirable beneficial results described above, it is neverthelessgenerally preferred that the compositions of the present inventioninclude a stabilizing agent which is characterized as having a tendencyto suppress the decomposition tendency of the composition. In preferredembodiments, such stabilizing agent comprises at least one compoundselected from the group consisting deoxidants (including those whichcombine with and prevent further oxidation of ammonia), and ammoniumgenerating agents.

Examples of stabilizing agents which are contemplated for use inconnection with the present invention, either alone or in combinationwith other agents in the following list or other agents not mentionedhere, include: active silica, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate,potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, water,dolomite, oxalic acid, formic acid, salt(s) of tartaric acid,carbodiamides, biguanides, di-cyan di-amide, calcium carbonate, thiourea, urea, semicarbazide, centralite, urethane, diphenyl,diphenylamine, naphthylamine, aminophenol, benzoic acid, pyrocatechin,phenylenediamine, hexamine, (NH₄)₂C₂O₄.H₂O, NH₄, LiF, and combinationsof these.

In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent comprises one ormore metal salts, including those which can be characterized asdeoxidants, particularly metal halides, metal sulfates, metalcarbonates, metal nitrates, and mixtures of these. In certainembodiments it is preferred that the metal which forms the metal salt beselected from alkali and alkali earth metals, more preferably alkali andalkali earth metals from Period 3 or Period 4 of the periodic table, andeven more particularly potassium, magnesium, calcium and combinations ofthese. Particularly preferred are potassium halides (particularly KCl),MgSO₄, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, dolomite (CaMgCO₃), Mg(NO₃)₂, and combinations oftwo or more of these. Applicants have found that in certain preferredembodiments the group from which the stabilizer is selected does notinclude lithium halides, and particularly lithium fluoride.

In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent comprises one ormore of thiourea, silicon oxides (including particularly SiO₂), ammoniumsalts (including particularly ammonium tartarate, ammonium oxalate,ammonium sulfamate and combinations of these, but in certain preferredembodiments excluding ammonium benzoate), and combinations of these.Applicants have found that in certain preferred embodiments the groupfrom which the stabilizer is selected does not include urea, biphenyl,diphenylamine, 2-aminophthalene, 4-aminophenol,1,3-diethyl-1,3-diphenylurea, hexamethylene tetramine, ammoniumbenzoate, 1,4-phenylenediamine, ureathane, or catecol.

Although it is also contemplated that the particular amount ofstabilizing agent used in any particular composition may vary widely,depending upon numerous factors including the particular components usedin the composition, it is generally preferred that stabilizing agent ofthe present invention is present in the composition in an amount of fromabout 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, more preferably from about 0.1 wt. %to about 10 wt. % of the composition, and even more preferably fromabout 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt %.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a composition, andpreferably a fertilizer, comprising ammonium nitrate in combination withat least a third compound selected from the group consisting of ammoniumsulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate,magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexaflouralsilicate,neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more of these. Inpreferred embodiments, said combination of ammonium nitrate and said atleast a third compound comprises a double salt of ammonium nitrate andat least one of said third compounds. In certain preferred embodimentsthe third component is a double salt selected from ammonium potassiumnitrate, ammonium phosphate nitrate, and combinations of these. Incertain preferred embodiments the group from which the third componentis selected does not include calcium ammonium nitrate, or ammoniummon-hydrogen phosphate nitrate. It is contemplated that the thirdcomponent may be present in widely ranging amounts within the scope ofthe present invention. In preferred embodiments the third component ispresent in a molar ratio of from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1, based onratio of the moles of the third component to the moles of the ammoniumnitrate, more preferably from about 0.75:1 to about 1.25:1, and evenmore preferably about 1:1. The preferred compositions exhibit a reducedsensitivity to detonation relative to compositions consistingessentially of ammonium nitrate.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods of handlingfertilizer compositions comprising providing a substantiallynon-detonable fertilizer composition comprising ammonium nitrate incombination with such stabilizing agent, and optionally but preferablyalso in combination with said at least third compound. In certainpreferred embodiments, said third compound is selected from the groupconsisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate,potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammoniumhexaflouralsilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of twoor more of these. In certain preferred embodiments at least a portion,more preferably at least a substantial portion, and even more preferablysubstantially all of said ammonium nitrate in said composition ispresent in the form of a double salt with one or more of said secondcompounds. The present handling methods include methods of transportingfertilizer, methods of storing fertilizer and methods of applyingfertilizer to soil or other growing material.

As used herein, the term “ammonium nitrate composition” refers broadlyto compositions which contain ammonium nitrate in any form, including asdouble salt with other compounds.

As used herein, the term “double salt” refers to a salt made up of atleast two different types of cations and one type of anion or of atleast two different types of anions and one type of cation. Thus, theterm “double salt of ammonium nitrate” is understood to mean acombination of ammonium nitrate and another compound in such a way as toform new compound which is crystallocrystaligraphically distinct fromeither of the constituents.

In certain preferred embodiments the compositions, including certainembodiments involving the fertilizers and other materials of the presentinvention, the compositions have a relatively low concentration ofsingle salt AN. As used herein the term “single AN” refers to a salt inwhich substantially all of the cations are ammonium and substantiallyall of the anions are nitrate. In certain highly preferred embodimentsthe compositions and materials of the present invention have nosubstantial amount of single salt AN, and in certain embodiments thecompositions contain not more than trace amounts of single salt AN.

Preferably the present compositions, particularly in the form offertilizers and when used in connection with methods involving handlingthe fertilizers, are not considered hazardous materials under Title 49of the Code of Federal Regulations, “Transportation”, Part 172,“Hazardous Materials Table”, Oct. 1, 2000, and are also preferably notclassified as oxidizers under United Nations Recommendations on theTransport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, 1995”,“Section 34, Classification Procedures, Test Methods and CriteriaRelating to Oxidizing Substances of Division 5.1”.

One aspect of the present invention provides compositions preferablyhaving desirable agricultural properties, such as would be required forfertilizers and the like, and a high detonation resistance in comparisonto single salt AN. In preferred embodiments, the present inventionprovides fertilizer compositions comprising one or more double salts ofthe formula (I):(M).n(NH₄NO₃).m(H₂0)  (I)where M is a cation-anion pair selected from the group consisting ofammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesiumnitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexaflouralsilicate andneodymium hydroxynitrate,

n is from about 0.2 to about 3, and

m is from about 0 to about 10.

In preferred embodiments the present compositions are characterized asbeing comprised of, and preferably consisting essentially of, components(preferably double salts) that are low exotherm components and/or thatare resistant to cohesion loss.

It is also preferred in many embodiments that the present compositionsare characterized as being comprised of, and preferably consistingessentially of, components, and particularly double salts, that exhibita cohesive stability temperature of at least about 500° K, and even morepreferably at least about 600° K. As used herein, cohesion stabilitytemperature refers to the temperature at which the components of thedouble salt begin to show significant loss of cohesion. It is alsopreferred that the present compositions are characterized as beingcomprised of, and preferably consisting essentially of, components, andparticularly double salts, that exhibit higher cohesion stability thanthat of ammonium nitrate, where the cohesive stability difference isdetermined by comparison of the cohesive exotherms of the compound offormula (I) to that of single salt ammonium nitrate. In a preferredembodiment, the improvement in cohesion stability is a two-fold increasein stability compared to single salt ammonium nitrate. As used herein,cohesive exotherm means the thermodynamic free energy released as thebulk material represented by [(M).n(NH₄NO₃).m(H₂0)]_(n) (II), decomposesto the compositional parts represented by Formula (I) and where acohesively unstable compound has a negative value of free energy and amore stable compound has a positive value at a temperature of about 600°K. Preferably, the cohesive exotherm of the preferred double salts ofthe present invention, as used in the present composition andfertilizers, is substantially greater than about the cohesive exothermof single salt AN, and even more preferably is substantially greaterthan about the cohesive exotherm of the 3:1 ASN double salt

Preferably the present compositions contain a combined total of(NH₄)₂SO₄.3(NH₄ NO₃) double salt and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) of fromabout 0 to about 3 wt. %, and more preferably the ammonium nitrate ispresent in any amount of from about 0 to 1 wt. % of the composition, andeven more preferably in not more than a trace amount.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are illustrative of certain embodiments of theinvention but are not necessarily limiting of the broad scope thereof.

Examples 1A and 1B Metal Salt Stabilizers

Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared bycombining into a substantially homogeneous composition about 99.5 wt %1:2 ammonium sulfate nitrate and about 0.5 wt % of a stabilizing agent.Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 1below. Each composition is then tested for onset temperature and DTA inaccordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, weight lossin the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is anindicator of the occurrence of a reaction.

TABLE 1 Stabilizing Onset Weight Loss DTA Sample Agent Temperature (C.)(wt. %) (uV) A CaCO3 223.0 39.6 −0.10 B LiF 219.7 38.8 0.90

As can be seen from the above results, the use of CaCO₃ and LiF as astabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5 weight % produces a DTA ofless than about 1.0 uV, which is not preferred in certain embodiments ofthe present invention. Also, LiF produces an onset temperature that lessthan certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Examples 2A-2D Metal Salt Stabilizers

Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared bycombining into a substantially homogeneous composition about 99.5 wt %1:2 ammonium sulfate nitrate and about 0.5 wt % of a stabilizing agent.Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 2below (note that evaluation of sample B was repeated). Each compositionis then tested for onset temperature and DTA in accordance with theprocedures indicated above. In addition, weight loss in the compositionis monitored and reported. Weight loss is an indicator of the occurrenceof a reaction.

TABLE 2 Stabilizing Onset Weight Loss DTA Sample Agent Temperature (C.)(wt. %) (uV) A KCl 222.5 37.4 2.00 B1 MgSO₄ 222.9 40.0 2.70 B2 MgSO₄222.7 39.4 2.25 C Dolomite (CaMgCO3) 222.5 39.2 2.70 D Mg(NO3)2 222.040.4 3.18

As can be seen from the above results, the use of each of the compoundsin Table 2 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5 weight %produces a DTA of greater than 1 and onset temperature above about 200°C., which is in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention.

Examples 3A-3K Amide and Ammonium Stabilizers

Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared bycombining into a substantially homogeneous composition about 99.5 wt %1:2 ammonium sulfate nitrate and about 0.5 wt % of a stabilizing agent.Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 3below. Each composition is then tested for onset temperature and DTA inaccordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, weight lossin the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is anindicator of the occurrence of a reaction.

TABLE 3 Onset Weight Stabilizing Temperature Loss DTA Sample Agent (C.)(wt. %) (uV) A Urea 223.8 39.6 0.73 B Biphenyl 222.1 39.2 0.30 CDiphenylamine 220.7 39.5 −1.64 D 2-aminophthalene 222.4 38.5 −0.46 E4-aminophenol 218.1 38.3 −0.40 1,3-diethyl-1,3- F diphenylurea 223.239.2 0.39 Hexamethylene G tetramine 221.7 40.7 −0.31 H ammonium benzoate222.5 37.8 0.91 I 1,4-phenylenediamine 219.7 38.0 0.96 J Ureathane 217.138.3 1.11 K Catecol 215.2 39.7 −2.21

As can be seen from the above results, the use of the compounds in Table3 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5 weight % produces aDTA of less than about 1.0, which is not preferred in certainembodiments of the present invention. Also, 4-aminophenol produces anonset temperature that less than certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention.

Examples 4A-4E Amide and Ammonium Stabilizers

Several compositions are prepared. Each composition is prepared bycombining into a substantially homogeneous composition about 99.5 wt %1:2 ammonium sulfate nitrate and about 0.5 wt % of a stabilizing agent.Each stabilizing agent consisted of the compound indicated in Table 4below. Each composition is then tested for onset temperature and DTA inaccordance with the procedures indicated above. In addition, weight lossin the composition is monitored and reported. Weight loss is anindicator of the occurrence of a reaction.

TABLE 4 Stabilizing Onset Weight Loss DTA Sample Agent Temperature (C.)(wt. %) (uV) A Thiourea 223.7 37.3 1.63 B Ammonium Tartrate 221.5 39.61.87 C SiO2 225.6 37.9 1.05 D ammonium oxalate 223.9 40.8 2.14 Eammonium sulfamate 223.3 40.7 2.13

As can be seen from the above results, the use of each of the compoundsin Table 4 as a stabilizing agent in an amount of about 0.5 weight %produces a DTA of greater than 1 and onset temperature above about 200°C., which is in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention.

It will be appreciated by those killed in the art that variousmodifications and changes to the particular embodiments described hereincan be made based upon the overall teachings contained herein, and thatthe scope of the invention should not be considered limited in any wayexcept as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fertilizer composition comprising: a doublesalt that includes ammonium nitrate and a compound selected from thegroup consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, calciumnitrate, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate,ammonium hexaflouralsilicate, neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinationsof two or more thereof; and at least one stabilizing agent selected fromthe group consisting of deoxidants and ammonium generating agents. 2.The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the at least onestabilizing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % toabout 20 wt %.
 3. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the atleast one stabilizing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt %.
 4. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, whereinthe at least one stabilizing agent is present in an amount effective tosubstantially reduce the detonation sensitivity of the compositionrelative to the detonation sensitivity of 2:1 ASN.
 5. The fertilizercomposition of claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizing agent ispresent in an amount of from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt %.
 6. Thefertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizingagent comprises one or more metal salts, wherein the metal that formsthe metal salt is selected from the group consisting of alkali metalsfrom Period 3 or Period 4 of the periodic table and alkali earth metalsfrom Period 3 or Period 4 of the periodic table.
 7. The fertilizercomposition of claim 6, wherein the metal that forms the metal salt isselected from the group consisting of potassium, magnesium, calcium orcombinations thereof.
 8. The fertilizer composition of claim 7, whereinthe one or more metal salts is selected from the group consisting ofKCl, MgSO₄, CaCO₃, MgCO₃, dolomite (CaMgCO₃), Mg(NO₃)₂, and combinationsof two or more thereof of these.
 9. The fertilizer composition of claim1, wherein the at least one stabilizing agent comprises at least onemetal salt selected from the group consisting of metal halides, metalsulfates, metal, carbonates, metal nitrates, and mixtures thereof. 10.The fertilizer composition of claim 1 wherein the at least onestabilizing agent comprises at least one metal halide.
 11. Thefertilizer composition of claim 1 wherein the at least one stabilizingagent comprises at least one metal sulfate.
 12. The fertilizercomposition of claim 1 wherein the at least one stabilizing agentcomprises at least one metal carbonate.
 13. The fertilizer compositionof claim 1 wherein the at least one stabilizing agent comprises at leastone metal nitrate.
 14. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, whereinthe at least one stabilizing agent is selected from the group consistingof active silica, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassiumchloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, water, dolomite,oxalic acid, formic acid, salts of tartaric acid, carbodiamides,biguanides, di-cyan di-amide, calcium carbonate, thio urea, urea,semicarbazide, centralite, urethane, diphenyl, diphenylamine,naphthylamine, aminophenol, benzoic acid, pyrocatechin, phenylenediaminehexamine, (NH₄)₂C₂O₄—H₂O, NH₄, LiF, and combinations thereof of these.15. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the at least onestabilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of thiourea,silicon oxides, ammonium salts, and combinations of two or more thereof.16. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein the at least onestabilizing agent comprises SiO₂.
 17. The fertilizer composition ofclaim 1, wherein the composition has a single salt ammonium nitratecomposition of about 0 to 1 wt. %, based on the total weight of thecomposition.
 18. The fertilizer composition of claim 1, wherein thedouble salt that includes ammonium nitrate and a compound selected fromthe group consisting of ammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate, magnesiumnitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexaflouralsilicate, neodymiumhydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more thereof.
 19. A method offorming a fertilizer composition comprising the step of combining: afirst composition comprising a double salt that includes ammoniumnitrate and a compound selected from the group consisting of ammoniumsulfate, ammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate,magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdenate, ammonium hexaflouralsilicate,neodymium hydroxynitrate, and combinations of two or more thereof; and asecond composition including at least one stabilizing agent selectedfrom the group consisting of deoxidants and ammonium generating agents.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the combined fertilizer compositionhas a single salt ammonium nitrate composition of about 0 to 1 wt. %,based on the total weight of the composition.